| Ever said to yourself, it's 5:00 o'clock and | | | | side dish, bread, dessert or salad that you |
| what's for dinner?!? Yikes! A simple menu | | | | will prepare. Think about what you have |
| plan may eliminate some of this stress!To get | | | | already on hand to prepare the meal with and |
| started, check the family calendar. Grab the | | | | add what's needed to your grocery list on the |
| grocery sales ads, a sheet of paper, a pen | | | | other side of the sheet of paper. Continue |
| and your favorite recipes or cookbooks. Yes, | | | | with the other days of the week.While |
| and pour yourself a glass of iced tea or brew | | | | planning, think about "planned leftovers" or |
| a cup of your favorite hot tea.Next, fold | | | | slowcooker meals for your busy days. |
| your sheet of paper into eighths by folding | | | | Slowcooker meals are also great for Sunday |
| in half, side-to-side, then fold in half, | | | | lunch when you come home from church. Cooking |
| top-to-bottom and again top-to-bottom. Now | | | | at home will save you tons of money over |
| label the eight squares: meat, dairy, | | | | taking the whole family out for a meal! Make |
| produce, canned, bakery, frozen, staples and | | | | an extra meal (which can be frozen) on the |
| non-food. On the other side of the paper; | | | | days you have more time. Don't forget about |
| label the squares with the days of the | | | | plans for breakfast and lunch! After making |
| week.Then, check the pantry, freezer and the | | | | your menu plan, add other non-food items that |
| refrigerator for what supplies you are | | | | you'll need to purchase this week.Go shopping |
| starting with. Before you begin planning; | | | | with your list!After shopping, think about |
| check the grocery sales ads to see what the | | | | what can be done as you put the groceries |
| specials are.Now, what will you have for | | | | away. Boil some eggs for a quick egg salad |
| dinner on grocery shopping day? This is | | | | later in the week. This is also a good time |
| important to decide. I've found that it's | | | | to squeeze in a double batch of Jell-o with |
| best to either make dinner with what you | | | | fruit for dessert or snack this week. Instead |
| already have at home or plan an easy meal for | | | | of freezing that large roast you bought on |
| this night, just depends on your schedule. | | | | sale, go ahead and start cooking it on low in |
| Write down each day's menu, then list what | | | | the slowcooker. |